Suffolk To Discuss Water System Plan

SUFFOLK — The City Council will discuss the final draft of the city's long-term water capital improvement plan Wednesday night.

The plan details the areas of the city's water system that need to be improved and maps out where new pipelines will be needed based on projected population growth.

The plan, coupled with a proposal to institute a water resource recovery fee, is designed to focus the city's resources on keeping up with growth, while maintaining existing development, according to City Manager John L. Rowe Jr.

The water fee, still under dicussion, will place the cost of new water service on the developer.

The water plan calls for building new pipelines along Crittenden Road to Route 17, across the Nansemond River and meeting with water systems planned for the northeastern section of the city. It also calls for shoring up the current pipe system through downtown Suffolk, and laying pipes to other areas of the city.

The projected growth rate in that part of the city, through the year 2030, is about 59 percent. Much of the growth will be precipitated by the opening of Interstate 664, which will span the James River and connect downtown Newport News to Suffolk. Several large-scale subdivisions are planned for that area.

The projected population of the entire city by the year 2030 is 127,000. Of that, the water sys tem is expected to serve about 88 percent. Of the estimated 54,000 residents of the city now, 24,000 are connected to the city's water supply.

The plan will be discussed during the council's work session, which starts at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The regular session is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Both meetings will be in the council chamber at 441 Market St.